Jurors in Spector trial to begin deliberations Monday

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The jury in the Phil Spector murder trial will begin deliberations next week after prosecution and defense lawyers wrapped up their closing arguments here Friday.

After five months of testimony involving nearly 80 witnesses, jurors at Los Angeles Superior Court will receive final instructions from Judge Larry Paul Fidler on Monday before retiring to consider their verdict.

Spector, the musical pioneer who created the "Wall of Sound" recording technique responsible for a string of 1960s hits, faces 15 years to life in prison if found guilty of murdering actress Lana Clarkson.

Prosecutors said the 67-year-old shot Clarkson in a drunken rage at his castle-like mansion in February 2003, only hours after meeting her for the first time at a...